“Stop the Surveillance, start the solidarity”: Sina Albrecht to speak at migration dialogue in Kassel

Sina Albrecht, lead candidate for MERA25 in the upcoming Kassel local elections, will take part in a public dialogue on migration policy on March 8, calling for an end to what she describes as growing surveillance measures against refugees and migrants.

The event, titled “Migration and the Future in Kassel,” will take place on Sunday, March 8, at 18:00 at JWD Bar on Blücherstraße. Organised by the ILAK initiative, the discussion aims to bring local political representatives into direct conversation with communities affected by tightening migration policies at the federal level.

Albrecht is expected to use the platform to criticise both the federal government and the Hessian state government for policies she argues undermine social integration.

Concerns over surveillance and integration cuts

Kassel is home to a diverse population: around 40% of its residents have a migrant background, and roughly 9,000 people live in the city for humanitarian reasons. Against this backdrop, MERA25 has warned of what it calls a political shift toward stricter migration enforcement.

The party has particularly criticised plans announced by Hessian Interior Minister Roman Poseck to track individuals required to leave the country through mobile phone geolocation, a measure intended to facilitate deportations.

At the same time, access to new integration courses has reportedly been limited since late 2025 due to federal government decisions, which MERA25 argues weakens pathways to participation and employment.

“We are witnessing the construction of a digital fortress,” Albrecht said ahead of the event. “Berlin is choosing high-tech surveillance and bureaucratic paralysis over human potential.”

She added that the party supports what it calls a principle of “Education instead of Deportation,” arguing that societies function best when newcomers are given tools to participate rather than treated primarily as security concerns.

A “city of solidarity”

MERA25 says its local platform centres on expanding opportunities for migrants and strengthening local institutions that promote integration and community development.

Among the proposals highlighted by the party are:

Unrestricted access to vocational training and integration language courses, regardless of residence status
Greater support for local social organizations and associations working on inclusion and lifelong learning
Recognition of Kassel’s cultural diversity, from regional traditions to subcultures, as a democratic strength rather than a source of conflict

The party also advocates closer cooperation between the municipality and educational providers, aiming to transform Kassel into what it calls a “City of Solidarity” grounded in human dignity and social participation.

Public dialogue on March 8

The March 8 event will feature Albrecht alongside representatives from several other political parties, including the SPD, BSW, and Die Linke. Organisers say the discussion will focus on the future of migration policy in Kassel and its impact on local communities.

Event details: